Rivalry in the Making

By Rick Polston

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

The season opener between Old Dominion University’s Monarchs and Virginia Tech’s Hokies should prove to be one to watch

The stage is set: Old Dominion University hosts Virginia Tech for the 2022 season opener. The Monarchs haven’t played the Hokies since 2019, resulting in a loss. However the last time the Hokies played the Monarchs in Hampton Roads—in 2018— they went home with the sting of a loss.

Let’s see what happens this time.

Many people, especially sports enthusiasts, love a good rivalry. Most of us who follow sports currently have favorite teams or individuals that compete in recreational leagues, secondary and intercollegiate levels, and certainly at the professional level. Rivalries begin early and many become very intense. We all tend to have our favorite players or teams which we support with the very fiber of our beings. Who doesn’t like a good rivalry? The Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Commanders in the NFL; Michigan vs. Ohio State in college football; the Lakers vs. the Celtics or Duke against North Carolina in basketball. On the golf links of yesteryear, you would find the great Arnold Palmer trying to match or exceed par with Jack Nicklaus. If you are a little older you may remember the classic battles between boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. So, what about the Virginia Tech Hokies vs. the Monarchs of Old Dominion University on the gridiron? Tech against ODU? Is there really a rivalry there?

The backstory Old Dominion football made its return to the game in 2009. In 2017, they began a series of contests with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University—the Hokies—out of Blacksburg through the 2031 season. Over the years there have been many people, including some longtime ODU fans, who thought there would never be a rivalry with Tech. Playing Tech would not be a good idea. They are too powerful and too experienced. After the first meeting against the Hokies these naysayers had a great argument proving their point. The first contest was in 2017 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Even with slow beginnings for the Tech squad, ODU found themselves overmatched with a heartbreaking 38–0 loss at the hands of the host Hokies. There was no talk of a rivalry at this point. The game was just too easy for their Power 5 football team. In 2018, the residents of Hampton Roads—who are sports junkies and traditional fanatics of the ODU “Big Blue”—were more thrilled knowing that Virginia Tech was coming to their house than they were with being concerned about a rivalry. The hype around the region was at the highest levels with talks of revenge in the air. In the weeks before

the game both fan groups were busy making their predictions. Some within Hokie Nation had already chalked up another victory for Tech: While maybe not a cakewalk, a victory was almost guaranteed. Some Hokies may have overlooked this game as the following week Tech would be competing against powerhouse Clemson University. Aside from the revenge factor, Big Blue loyalists felt that their homefield advantage and strong local support would keep them in the game. Did many actually believe that Old Dominion could win against the #10 team in the country? Believe it: Final score was ODU: 49, Virginia Tech: 35. When they met again in 2019 Virginia Tech claimed the advantage over Old Dominion with a home win of 31–17. No rivalry yet. Or is there? Some consider a rivalry cannot actually be defined as such until both of the teams in question have won a game. The victory by the Monarchs at home in 2018 evened the series at one win each. After that victory, (now former) ODU coach Bobby Wilder said that win was “one of the biggest moments in Hampton Roads sports history.” He further stated, “I’m really hoping that a friendly rivalry will evolve between our schools.” “When you think that we’re two very large in-state schools, and think of the number of ODU and Virginia Tech graduates in Hampton Roads, this should be a very popular rivalry,” said Wilder. In all likelihood there is a friendly rivalry brewing between the two schools, their fans, and their communities. But what about a rivalry between the two head coaches of the respective schools?

The men leading the teams Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry is its firstyear head coach while Ricky Rahne (pronounced as in “Ronnie”) is in his second season as ODU’s head coach (3rd season overall). They have never coached against one another. Interestingly enough, however, is that they are probably very familiar with one another and are probably great friends. While researching their respective coaching histories, several interesting items emerged. Coach Pry had a previous coaching stint with the Hokies as he trained the defensive line from 1995–1998 as a graduate assistant. In 2011 (through 2013), he joined the coaching staff at Vanderbilt University

in Nashville, Tennessee, under the leadership of Coach James Franklin. Also serving as a Vanderbilt coach during the same time period: Ricky Rahne. When Franklin was hired as the new Pennsylvania State University (PSU) coach in 2014, both Pry and Rahne moved along with him. Pry remained with the PSU program until his hiring at Tech in 2021, and Rahne left for ODU for the 2019 season.

James Franklin on both former coaches “Brent Pry was with me for 12 years, every single year of my head coaching career,” Franklin said. “His dad was my offensive coordinator in college; we go back 30 years. To lose a guy like that, that hurts. You struggle. But I’m super happy for him, and Virginia Tech made a great hire. He’s going to do an awesome job.” “Ricky (Rahne) is a rising star in the industry and is built for this opportunity,” Franklin said. “He is a smart, open-minded and talented coach. His humble leadership style will resonate well with Old Dominion’s leadership and players. I look forward to following his program at Old Dominion.”

Can two former coaching colleagues establish an in-state rivalry? Sure, they can. A coach’s job is to prepare his team for a win notwithstanding the opponent. Their teams will give their very best for the coach, the school, and the community where they play. There will be some time, perhaps before and after each upcoming game, for these friends to reacquaint and to discuss matters at hand. For now, there is a new rivalry on the horizon for Old Dominion and Virginia Tech, and these coaches and their teams play the pivotal roles. One thing will be for certain: If you are a fan of collegiate football in the state of Virginia, attend this series and may your team come out with a victory. Season tickets for Old Dominion games are currently on sale; the only way to see the Virginia Tech game in person is by purchasing season tickets. ODU’s 2022 home games are as follows: Virginia Tech Hokies (Sept. 2); Arkansas State Red Wolves (Sept. 24); Liberty Flames (Oct. 1); Georgia Southern Eagles (Oct. 22); Marshall Thundering Herd (Nov. 5); and James Madison Dukes (Nov. 12). Rivalries or not, come support the Big Blue for the 2022 Gridiron Season.

Rick Polston is a teacher of students with disAbilities for Suffolk Public Schools. English and Language Arts is his chosen content to teach. His favorite pastime is journaling about travel adventures and singing.

Catch the Monarchs at their home field: S.B. Ballard Stadium (season tickets only), on ESPNU, via the ODU Sports Radio Network or through a variety of streaming options.